Central Public School Hosts Open House to Kick-Off Bicentennial Celebration

Posted on 09/25/2017

Central Public Schoolkicked off its year-long
Bicentennial Celebration Monday, September 18th with its annual Open
House event.

The
school hosted this event, featuring
displays by two historians who shared their knowledge of the impact Central has
had over two centuries. The day also included tours of the classrooms so
parents could see students’ work from JK to Grade 6.

Principal
Darryl Beck said the kick-off “marked the start of a special year for Central,
designed to celebrate how public education has improved the lives of Cornwall
residents.”

“Two
hundred years of anything is significant,” said Beck. “Our school is rich in
history. It’s important for staff, students and the school community to not
only acknowledge that but to celebrate it as we prepare for our future.”

Highlighting
the Open House was a display by former student, teacher and principal David
Hickey in the school’s Learning Commons. Hickey’s display featured dozens of
pictures of students from decades past. There were class pictures from the
1920s, old school readers, and sports badges proclaiming Central Stormont
County Champions of the 1986 boys’ broomball league. The retired principal
offered his personal reflections to former students who approached to greet him
and reminisce.

Author
Debbie Ledoux was also on hand to share her thoughts on what the school has
meant to students past and present through her book on Central entitled A Journey to Remember.

Throughout
the current school year, Central has several activities planned as part of the
celebration, including awine and
cheese, a spaghetti supper, a student art show, a communal photo of current
staff and students, and a Family Fun Day and barbecue.